Equine nasogastric intubation adapter with backflow diverter

ABSTRACT

A rigid hollow tubular adapter releasably attached at a longitudinal nozzle end to a flexible tube during equine nasogastric intubation comprising an annular sleeve having a stationary tubular member and a slidable tubular member. The slidable tubular member is delimited at its ends by the stationary tubular member and a detent member disposed between an equine reflux drainage hole and a longitudinal mouthpiece end. Operator&#39;s puffs of airflow through a mouthpiece urges the slidable member to slide toward the detent member closing the equine drainage hole to enable passage of medication into the equine stomach. Equine reflux urges the slidable tubular member to slide toward the stationary tubular member opening the reflux drainage hole to divert equine backflow downwardly through the equine backflow drainage hole preventing passage of equine reflux into the operator&#39;s mouth.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S. applicationSer. No. 15/045,232 filed Feb. 16, 2016.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to nasogastric intubation, andmore particularly relates to an apparatus enabling an operator,typically a veterinarian or other medical professional, to safelyconduct equine nasogastric intubation without jeopardizing the horse'swell-being and simultaneously avoiding ingestion or aspiration ofcontaminated air emanating from equine breath while coughing and also ofcontaminated liquid emanating from the equine stomach into theoperator's mouth while nasogastric intubation is being conducted.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is well known by veterinarians specializing in equine practice, ahorse is a non-ruminant herbivore having a digestive system configuredwith unique anatomical attributes. For instance, a horse has a largegastrointestinal tract about one hundred feet long, primarily consistingof the small and large intestines. The small intestine interconnects thestomach with the large intestine, through its two inch diameter andconstitutes about 30% of the equine digestive tract. It is typicallyfifty to seventy feet long having a capacity of about ten to fifteengallons. Most food is digested and absorbed into the bloodstream in thesmall intestine, with any residual roughage and liquids beingtransferred to the large intestine.

The equine large intestine is typically fifteen to twenty feet longhaving a diameter as small as two to three inches in one portion, toeight to ten inches in another portion, and as large as about twentyinches in another, lower abdominal portion thereof. Thus, the equinelarge intestine has diameters throughout that are significantly largerthan the diameter of the small intestine—with a capacity of more thanthirty gallons. Bacteria residing therein enable digestion of celluloseplant fiber via fermentation, wherein plant fiber is broken down intocarbohydrates which may then be readily absorbed in the large intestine.A horse has a relatively small, single-compartment stomach typicallyhaving a capacity of about 4 gallons, corresponding to about ten percentof the digestive system. Unlike other species, the oral spinchter of theequine stomach is very tight and doesn't allow retrograde movement ofany material. Accordingly, horses are unable to vomit or eructate gas.

Digestion commences in the oral cavity when a horse ingests plant food.The ingested food is masticated in the mouth and then transported to thestomach through an elongated esophagus tube, typically four to five feetlong, urged by peristaltic wave-like contractions that are propagated bya well-developed muscular ring interconnecting the esophagus therewith.

It is also well known by practitioners in the art that colic, manifestas abdominal pain, is a common equine emergency attributable to suchcircumstances as attenuated movement of the small intestine and/orobstructions therein; inhibited movement of the large intestine and/orobstructions therein and/or twisting or displacement thereof. The resultof these phenomena could include accumulation of fluid in the horse'sstomach. A known factor causing such problematic accumulation is a horsebeing unable to eructate. The equine cardiac spinchter is so tightwherein passage of gas, liquid or other material retrograde isdisallowed. Thus, it will be appreciated that there are severalunderlying causes for colic which, of course, range from mild andinconsequential to severe and life-threatening. Accordingly, in theabundance of caution, every occurrences of colic should preferably behandled with urgency, as the equine stomach or intestine can rupture dueto backup pressures during gastrointestinal disfunction.

Nasogastric intubation is routinely invoked by veterinarians to treatequine medical conditions such as colic and chokes, or to gain access tothe stomach for evaluation or to deliver medication. In its most commonapplication, nasogastric intubation is used during colic treatment tofacilitate decompression of the stomach and to administer therapy. Forequine chokes, nasogastric intubation is used to clear occlusions of theesophagus. It should be understood that such obstructions must bepromptly remedied to avoid feed and fluid being urged to pass into anoccluded oropharynx forcing these materials toward the lungs as a horseattempts to swallow. As is known in the art, notwithstanding advent ofpaste dewormers to clear occlusions in the esophagus, parasiticides arestill routinely administered by invoking a nasogastric tube (hereinabbreviated “NGT”) to expedite direct access to the troubled equinestomach. And, finally, practitioners in the art will also readilyrecognize that a NGT is also especially useful for enabling gastricendoscopy to apprise a medical professional of the integrity andcondition of equine stomach walls and contents therein.

Once a NGT is emplaced into the ventral nasal passage and into theequine oropharynx the stimulus initiates swallow reflex forcing the NGTinto the esophagus. Then a veterinarian can blow small puffs of airthereinto as the NGT is passed into an equine esophagus simultaneouslyfacilitating the NGT's passage. This intermittent blowing via the NGTtends to facilitate dilation of an otherwise collapsed equine esophagus,thereby allowing contemplated aboral movement and subsequent insertionof the NGT into the equine stomach. It will be appreciated by thoseconversant in the art that the NGT would be advanced until essentiallybeing situated level with the equine twelfth rib.

Upon entry into the equine esophagus, after orally effectuatingprerequisite vacuum by imparting a modicum of suction into the NGT, aveterinarian can confirm the NGT has been emplaced properly in theequine esophagus rather than the equine trachea if and when theveterinarian hears gas and/or smells quine stomach contents. It shouldbe appreciated that there would be an absence of negative pressuregenerated from this modicum of suction if the NGT were incorrectlyemplaced into the trachea. Without this functionality, a veterinarianwould be left to ausculting of gas or smelling of gastric contents whichmay or may not be heard or indeed be present. It should be appreciatedby those conversant in the art that absent the backflow preventiveapparatus functioning as a check valve as herein disclosed, stimulatingor tickling the equine pharynx frequently results in aspiration ofequine stomach contents into a veterinarian's lungs, and, without thebenefit of invoking a backflow preventive apparatus functioning as acheck-valve, in view of there being a formidable probability ofspontaneous equine reflux occurring, there would typically be avulnerability that a veterinarian seemingly would unavoidably be exposedto pungent, fermented or even bloody reflux constituting a health hazardand/or a biohazard thereto.

The prior art appears to be devoid of any convenient and sufficientlyportable apparatus that reliably enables a veterinarian or other medicalprofessional to safely engage in equine nasogastric intubation ascontemplated herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention contemplates an equine nasogastric intubationadapter structured to allow an operator, typically a veterinarian orother medical professional, to manually administer suction or puffs ofair while simultaneously preventing or diverting equine stomach refluxfrom entering the operator's mouth. More particularly, embodiments ofthe present invention facilitate an operator effectuating safe passageof a NGT upwardly through the equine ventral nares into the nasopharynxand pharynx, wherein the horse is induced to swallow urging the NGT intothe equine esophagus.

It will be readily understood that the equine esophagus is typicallycollapsed in its resting state. So, prior to conducting nasogastricintubation, an operator must cause this esophagus to be expanded topermit and accommodate NGT-passage therethrough. Hence, the operatorwould preferably blow gently through the NGT to apply minimal pressureto urge the equine esophagus to expand.

Embodiments of the instant equine nasogastric longitudinal intubationadapter would be configured to be easily and conveniently be attached ata male end of a variety of suitably sized flexible tubes or flexiblehoses. It will be seen that such embodiments comprise a rigid hollowtubular member having an annular sleeve member contained axiallytherein. The annular longitudinal sleeve member comprises a firststationary member configured to be affixed to one end of the tubularadapter and a slidable tubular member configured to be slidablydisplaced from being disposed adjacent the stationary tubular member tobeing disposed remotely thereof as will be hereinafter described. Thus,the slidable tubular member is readily urged to slide within the annularsleeve member from a first position adjacent the stationary tubularmember to a second position remote of the stationary tubular membertoward the opposite end of the tubular adapter until abutting andadjacent a detent member. It will be evident to those skilled in the artthat each of these two delimiting positions are disposed on oppositesides of an equine reflux drainage hole which is, in turn, disposedbetween the stationary tubular member and the detent member.

The proximal end of the nasogastric intubation adapter has a mouthpieceemplaced within the operator's mouth simultaneously with the otherdistal, opposite end thereof having a nozzle member preferablycircumscribed by a series of undulating diminishing diameters or ridgesconveniently and securably releasably attached to a flexible tube orflexible hose sized to comfortably and safely be inserted into theequine digestive system through the equine nasal cavity. Preferredembodiments comprise a mouthpiece having a pair of bite-tabs with apliable plastic shield enabling hands-free gripping and, moreparticularly, teeth-gripping thereof at the proximal end to sustain itsuninterrupted presence in the operator's mouth while appropriatetreatment is being administered.

It is an object and advantage of embodiments of the present invention toserve as a safety interface while providing a convenient, inexpensiveand lightweight portable adapter that attaches to a flexible tube orflexible hose incorporated into an equine nasogastric intubationprotocol.

It another object of the present invention to provide a disposableequine nasogastric intubation backflow diverter adapter tube thatminimizes risk to an operator attributable to equine contamination andconcomitant biohazards.

It yet another object of the present invention to provide a disposableequine nasogastric intubation backflow diverter adapter tube thatenables safe and convenient emplacement of a nasogastric tube into anequine stomach.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following specification and accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective side view from the mouthpiece end of anembodiment of the present invention, with the backflow drainage holedisposed in an open position.

FIG. 2 depicts a side view of an embodiment of the present invention,with the backflow drainage hole disposed in an open position.

FIG. 3 depicts a side view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, withthe backflow drainage hole disposed in a partially-open position.

FIG. 4 depicts a side view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, withthe backflow hole disposed in a closed position.

FIG. 5 depicts an opposite side view of the embodiment depicted in FIG.4.

FIG. 6A depicts an end view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6B depicts the opposite end view of the end view depicted in FIG.6A.

FIG. 7 depicts a top view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 depicts a bottom view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 depicts a perspective side view from the mouthpiece end ofanother embodiment of the present invention, with the backflow holedisposed in an open position.

FIG. 10 depicts a top view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 depicts a bottom view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 9, withthe backflow hole disposed in an open position.

FIG. 12 depicts a bottom view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 9, withthe backflow hole disposed in a partially-open position.

FIG. 13 depicts a bottom view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 9, withthe backflow hole disposed in a closed position.

FIG. 14A depicts an end view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 9.

FIG. 14B depicts the opposite end view of the end view depicted in FIG.14A.

FIG. 15 depicts a side view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 9.

FIG. 16 depicts the opposite side view of the embodiment depicted inFIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is made herein to the figures in the accompanying drawings inwhich like numerals refer to like components. Referring collectively toFIGS. 1-5, 6A-6B, 7-13, 14A-14B, and 5-16, there are depicted variousviews of two alternative embodiments of the present invention. Oneembodiment of equine nasogastric intubation backflow diverter adapter 2is depicted in perspective view in FIG. 1 and another backflow diverteradapter embodiment 5 is depicted in perspective view in FIG. 9.

More particularly, referring collectively to FIGS. 1-5, 6A-6B, and 7-8,there is depicted equine nasogastric hollow tubular backflow preventeradapter embodiment 2 having substantially flat grip member 15A fixedlydisposed atop exterior surface 20 of rigid hollow tubular member 10, anddisposed axially and centrally therewithin as shown. Exterior surface 20is preferably configured with beveled or chamfered edge 12 to enhanceinterconnection with a mouthpiece member 65 disposed at end 22B of rigidhollow tubular member 10 as will be hereinafter described. Annulartubular sleeve member 40 having a circular cross-section is disposedlongitudinally upon interior surface 30 of rigid hollow tubular member10. Bore 35 is circumscribed by interior surface 30 and disposed bothaxially and centrally therethrough.

Disposed oppositely of end 22B, end 22A of rigid hollow tubular member10 is configured with nozzle member 60 preferably circumscribed byseries of undulating diminishing diameters or ridges 62 as the nozzleremote end is approached. Thus, nozzle member 60 is configured to bereleasably and securably attached to a flexible tube or flexible hose Tsized to be comfortably and safely inserted into an equine digestivesystem through an equine nasal cavity (not shown). It will beappreciated that end 22B of rigid hollow tubular member 10 is preferablyconfigured with snorkel-like mouthpiece 65 having pair of bite-tabs 70with a pliable plastic shield enabling an operator's hands-free,mouth-teeth-gripping thereof at the proximal end to sustain itsuninterrupted presence in the mouth of an operator administering thenasogastric procedure contemplated hereunder.

Still focusing on FIGS. 1-5, 6A-B, and 7-8, there are seen differentviews of the backflow diverter aspect contemplated by the presentinvention. Thus, annular tubular sleeve member 40 disposed axially andcentrally within rigid hollow tubular member 10 comprises a first,stationary tubular member 45 and a second, slidable tubular member 50,configured to be disposed adjacent each other and preferably beingcongruent, having substantially the same diameter and material ofconstruction.

Stationary member 45 and slidable member 50 are disposed in an adjacentrelationship, when there is equine stomach backflow or when the horsecoughs thereby instigating movement from nozzle end 22A towardmouthpiece end 22B, in turn, urging slidable member 50 to slide towardstationary member 45 wherein end 47B of stationary member 45 abutsproximal end 52B of slidable member 50. Thus, under this equine backflowcondition, positioning of slidable tubular member 50 within axial bore35 is delimited by corresponding end member 47B of stationary tubularmember 45 and end member 52B of slidable tubular member 50,respectively, wherein backflow drainage hole 25 is disposed in an openposition (See FIGS. 1-2).

Contrariwise, to commence the nasogastric intubation procedurecontemplated hereunder, an operator would impart air flow throughmouthpiece end 22B of rigid hollow tubular member 10 by gently blowinginto the mouthpiece 65 causing the equine esophagus to expand. It willbe appreciated that this gentle airflow travels around sliding member 50thereby urging it to slide toward and cease movement at detent 55thereby completely covering equine drainage hole 25 (see FIG. 4)enabling uninterrupted, continuous flow of medication or the like intothe equine stomach as intended. Once proper placement of NGT T has beenaccomplished, embodiments 10 of the instant equine nasogastricintubation adapter would be removed.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that equine backflow wouldengender greater momentum than gentle blows of an operator's breath sothat positioning of slidable member 50 would be urged to slidably movefrom being emplaced adjacent detent member 55 at end member 22A of rigidhollow tubular member 10 to being emplaced adjacent end member 47B ofstationary member 45 at end member 22B of rigid hollow tubular member10, assuring opening of equine reflux backflow hole 25.

It will be understood that operator-generated gentle airflow throughmouthpiece 65 urges separation of slidable member 50 from stationarytubular member 45 through rigid hollow tubular member 10 untilpositioning of slidable member 50 within bore 35 is delimited by detentmember 55. Accordingly, slidable member 50 abuts detent member 55 atedge 52A thereof, assuring closure of reflux backflow drainage hole 25(See FIGS. 4-5).

It will also be understood by those skilled in the art, that, asdepicted in FIG. 3, the position of slidable member 50 within bore 35has been slidably urged by equine backflow to the extent of only beingpartially moved toward detent member 55, wherein equine reflux backflowdrainage hole 25 is emplaced essentially in a “half-open” position. Itwill be seen that detent member 55 and stationary member 45 are disposedon opposite sides of backflow drainage hole 25, wherein detent member 55comprises a firm nipple member affixed to and protruding minimally frominterior surface 30 of rigid hollow tubular member 10. To affordsufficient detent capability for effectively stopping further slidingprogress of slidable tubular member 50, the nipple member should beconstructed from solid material to be firm enough to cease movement ofslidable tubular member 50 toward the longitudinal nozzle end of rigidhollow tubular member 40 as contemplated hereunder wherein equinedrainage hole 25 would be completely covered. For instance, such nipplemember could constitute a simple cut-off nail-head or similar cut-offscrew-top affording sufficient height differential above interiorsurface 30 to prevent further sliding movement of slidable tubularmember 50—beyond this prescribed sliding-movement-limiting position asdepicted herein.

As will become evident to those skilled in the art, the presentinvention contemplates that equine backflow drainage hole 25 will beopen when equine liquid reflux or like effluent effectuates backflowpressure in NGT T attached to end 22A of adapter 2 to urge slidablemember 50 to slide from emplaced adjacent detent member 55 towardopposite end 22B of rigid hollow tubular member 10 of adapter 2 toanother position adjacent stationary member 45. When common end 52B ofslidable member 50 is emplaced adjacent of and delimited by common end47B of stationary member 45, its exterior surface 20 is clear ofbackflow drainage hole 25, thereby enabling backflow drainage hole 25 tobe disposed in an open position enabling equine backflow to be diverteddownwardly through equine backflow drainage hole 25 wherein equinebackflow is inherently prevented from entering an operator's mouth.

Mouthpiece member 65 is releasably attached to end 22B, disposedoppositely of end 22A of rigid hollow tubular member 10, to enableadapter embodiments hereof to be securely inserted into an operator'smouth and sustained therein hands-free during the equine nasogastricintubation procedure. In this arrangement, as elucidated hereunder,equine reflux is diverted from remaining in the main path from theequine stomach into the operator's mouth, and, instead, urged to flowinto a fail-safe diverted downward path through drainage hole 25 into areflux collection pail or an otherwise designated repository such as theground (not shown).

It will also be appreciated by those conversant in the art that anotherembodiment of the present invention could be similarly configured with asingle diameter tubular member and with a loop handle member rather thana flat grip member. More particularly, FIGS. 9-13, 14A-14B, and 15-16depict another embodiment of equine NGT backflow preventer adapter 5having loop grip member 15B fixedly disposed atop external surface 20 ofrigid hollow tube member 10. External surface 20 is preferablyconfigured with beveled or chamfered edge 12. Annular sleeve 40 havingcircular cross-section is disposed upon interior surface 30 of rigidhollow tubular member 10 as has been hereinbefore described. Bore 35 iscircumscribed by interior surface 30 and both axially and centrallydisposed therethrough.

Focusing collectively on FIGS. 9-13, 14A-B, and 15-16, there are seendifferent views of the backflow diverter aspect taught by embodiments ofthe present invention. Thus, interior surface 30 fixedly receivesstationary member 45 and slidable member 50, configured to be disposedadjacent each other and preferably congruent and having the samematerial of construction. When disposed in an adjacent relationship asdepicted in FIG. 11, positioning of slidable member 50 within bore 35 isdelimited by corresponding common end 47B of stationary member 45 andcommon end 52B of slidable member 50, respectively, wherein refluxbackflow drainage hole 25 is disposed in an open position. Contrariwise,when slidable member 50 is slidably separated from stationary member 45,as depicted in FIGS. 12 and 13, positioning of slidable member 50 withinbore 35 is delimited by detent member 55, wherein backflow drainage hole25 is disposed in a closed position. Referring again collectively toFIGS. 8-14, it will be seen that detent member 55 and stationary member45 are disposed on opposite sides of equine backflow drainage hole 25(see end 47B of stationary member 45 and detent member 55 disposedoppositely of drainage hole 25).

The following is a tabulation of the components depicted in thedrawings:

Component Listing

Numeral Component Explanation  2 Equine nasogastric tube Flat gripembodiment backflow diverter adapter  5 Equine nasogastric tube Loopgrip embodiment backflow diverter adapter 10 Rigid Hollow Tubular Member12 Beveled or chamfered edge 15A Flat grip Rubberized 15B Loop grip 20Exterior surface 22A, B Respective ends of Rigid 22A: nozzle end HollowTubular Member 22B: mouthpiece end 25 Backflow Drainage Hole, Lateral 30Interior surface 35 Axial bore 40 Annular sleeve 45 Stationary member47A, B Respective ends of Stationary End 47B receives end 52B member ofslidable member 50 50 Slidable member 52A, B Respective ends of SlidableEnd 52B receives end 47B Member of stationary member 45 55 Detent memberLimiting movement of slidable member; nipple-like structure attached toand protruding mini- mally from interior surface 60 Nozzle memberReceiving NGT 62 Series of diminishing dia- Facilitate secureinterconnection meters or ridges, diminishing of flexible tube or hosewith as remote, open end of nozzle adapter is approached 65 Mouthpiecemember Disposed oppositely of nozzle 70 Bite-Tab member Convenientlyhold adapter hands-free

Other variations and modifications will, of course, become apparent froma consideration of the structures and techniques hereinbefore describedand depicted. Accordingly, it should be clearly understood that thepresent invention is not intended to be limited by the particularfeatures and structures hereinbefore described and depicted in theaccompanying drawings, but that the present invention is to be measuredby the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable equine nasogastric intubation adaptercomprising: a rigid hollow tubular member having a first longitudinalend and having a nozzle member disposed axially of said firstlongitudinal end for releasably being attached to a flexible tube or aflexible hose by an operator, while said operator positions said rigidhollow tubular member using a grip member fixedly attached to anexterior surface of said rigid hollow tubular member and disposedbetween said first longitudinal end and an opposite second longitudinalend of said rigid hollow tubular member; an annular sleeve memberdisposed axially within said rigid hollow tubular member andcircumscribing an axial centrally disposed bore; said annular sleevemember comprising a stationary tubular member affixed at said firstlongitudinal end of said rigid hollow tubular member; and a slidabletubular member slidably disposed upon said rigid hollow tubular member;an equine reflux drainage hole disposed upon an interior surface of saidrigid hollow tubular member and further disposed between said firstlongitudinal end and said opposite second longitudinal end of said rigidhollow tubular member; and said slidable tubular member urged toslidably move upon said rigid hollow tubular member between a firstposition adjacent said stationary tubular member and a second positiontoward said first longitudinal end of said rigid hollow tubular memberabutting a detent member affixed upon and protruding upwardly from saidinterior surface of said rigid hollow tubular member and disposedbetween said equine reflux drainage hole and said first longitudinal endof said rigid hollow tubular member.
 2. The portable equine nasogastricintubation adapter recited in claim 1, wherein said detent membercomprises a firm nipple member.
 3. The portable equine nasogastricintubation adapter recited in claim 1, wherein said nozzle membercomprises a series of undulating diminishing diameters or ridgescircumferentially emplaced upon said nozzle member for conveniently andsecurably releasably attaching said flexible tube or flexible hose sizedto be comfortably and safely inserted into an equine nasal cavity andpassed therethrough to an equine esophagus and into an equine stomach.4. The portable equine nasogastric intubation adapter recited in claim3, wherein said opposite second longitudinal end of said rigid hollowtubular member is configured with a snorkel-like mouthpiece memberhaving a pair of bite-tabs with a pliable, plastic shield disposed oneach side of said mouthpiece member enabling said operator's hands-free,mouth-teeth gripping of said portable equine nasogastric intubationadapter while being inserted into said equine stomach through saidequine nasal cavity.
 5. The portable equine nasogastric intubationadapter recited in claim 4, wherein said equine reflux drainage hole isdisposed in a closed position when said slidable tubular member is urgedby gentle puffs of breath emanating from said operator's mouth into saidmouthpiece member and through said rigid hollow tubular member to beslidably positioned toward and adjacent said detent member therebycovering said equine reflux drainage hole to enable passage ofmedication into said equine stomach.
 6. The portable equine nasogastricintubation adapter recited in claim 5, wherein said equine refluxdrainage hole is disposed in an open position when said slidable tubularmember is urged by backflow of equine reflux entering into said rigidhollow tubular member through said nozzle member disposed at said firstlongitudinal end of said rigid hollow tubular member to slide away fromsaid detent member toward said stationary tubular member untilpositioned adjacent thereto at said opposite second longitudinal end ofsaid rigid hollow tubular member, thereby uncovering said equine refluxdrainage hole to divert passage of said equine reflux downwardly throughsaid equine reflux drainage hole and simultaneously disable passage ofsaid equine reflux into said operator's mouth.
 7. The portable equinenasogastric intubation adapter recited in claim 1, wherein said gripmember comprises a substantially flat member.
 8. The portable equinenasogastric intubation adapter recited in claim 1, wherein said gripmember comprises a loop member.
 9. The portable equine nasogastricintubation adapter recited in claim 1, wherein end members of said rigidhollow tubular member each comprises a bevel member.